What Useful Commands Can You Type into Your Computer RUN Window?

The Windows Run command dialog box is an extremely useful tool as it can open just about anything you want. You just have to know the special commands to type in. If you are “in to” computers you will become attached to these commands as they access files faster than having to open it manually. The Windows Run box window will also give you access to hidden files, settings, and programs that cannot be seen in the Windows control panel.
In Windows 7 you can type these commands into a cmd window.

Some of my favorite commands you can type into a run box are:

• regedit – This brings up the Windows registry and lets you change settings. Be warned, changing settings in the registry can cause your computer to simply stop working. You only have to type regedit because it is an executable file. Please see how to create a shortcut to regedit and also see how to get to regedit and gpedit.msc when there is no run box or command window.
• gpedit.msc – This is to access the Windows group policy where you can change more interesting settings. (editing this is not advised – May not be available in certain versions of Windows.)
• cmd – If you type this it will bring up dos command window (CMD).
• taskmgr – If you can’t use your keyboard to press CTRL ALT DEL typing taskmgr will being up the task manger.
• wab – Type this and it will take you to the Outlook Express email address book.
• msconfig – This is where you stop programs from opening when you start Windows.
• … Yes it’s just three dots away from my computer or your user files. Depends which version of Windows you are using.
• recent - Shows recent documents (as I do not have them pinned to my menu for everyone to see.. but might only work in Windows XP..

Where is the Windows run box?

1. You can get to the RUN dialog box by pressing the Windows key and R. This tip applies to Windows XP, Vista, and Windows Seven.

OR

1. In Windows XP go to Start Button and open Run from there. In Windows Vista go to the start icon in the left corner and when the start menu appears type in the bar at the bottom.

Opening The Run Box In Windows Vista and Seven

In Windows Vista and Windows 7 you can type run in the bar in the start menu, then press enter and the run box will appear.
Sometimes your settings have been changed and you cannot access the run command window. See  How to restore the Run command window when it is missing from the start menu